Having failed to persuade party's rebel legislators to retrace their steps, Janata Dal (Secular) chief H D Deve Gowda on Thursday virtually pleaded helplessness in ending the crisis and asked party men to 'prepare mentally' for developments that would unfold on Friday when the fate of the Dharam Singh-led coalition ministry will be decided in a trust vote in the assembly.

In an emotionally charged address to workers after talks with his rebel son H D Kumaraswamy and legislators made no headway in breaking the impasse, Gowda told party men, "I am in a dilemma now and facing critical moments of my political career. I have done my best to save the party. I have suffered unbearable agony in this task. I don't know what will happen tomorrow. Be mentally prepared to face it."

Gowda, who convened the meeting to seek party men's views on the crisis in the JD(S) after rebel legislators withdrew support to the Dharam Singh government and declared a new alliance with the Bharatiya Janata Party, said he was in the twilight of his political career.

Apparently giving up hopes of bringing the rebels around, Gowda said, "Either you (party men) face polls or take whatever decision you want. If you tell me do something. I have no strength to come up to your expectations."

However, he struck an optimistic note that legislators will save the legislature wing and also the secular character of the party. Gowda lashed out at those who described the political developments as a 'drama enacted by father and son'.